– Wata Wahala was a double celebration of International Women’s Day and World Water Day

An actor, Icha Stephanie, moving around the exhibition with a bucket of water on her head to reenact the plight of the community members.

The Media Information Narrative Development (MIND), an NGO, on Tuesday, March 15, held a photo exhibition at the Thought Pyramid, Abuja. The exhibition tagged Wata Wahala sought to highlight the problems people, especially women and young girls, in communities around Abuja FCT face in trying to get water. It also marked International Women’s Day, which was celebrated on March 8, and the upcoming World Water Day, March 22.

The project coordinator of MIND, Ilse van Lamoen, told NAIJ.com that the project was inspired by the complaints of the women in these communities, who say one of the biggest problems that hinders their success in life is inadequate access to water.

The programme Director of MIND, Ilse van Lamoen

She said: “The project is a bit experimental. We are trying to sell the photos. They are really beautiful photographs by upcoming professionals. The full revenues (from the sale) would be used to try and upgrade the water systems in these communities.”

A major highlight of the event was the water challenge. Guests were invited to carry around as fast as possible a big basin filled with pure water sachets to win one of the photographs on display. Ms. van Lamoen noted that the basin of water was equivalent to the average weight carried by some of the women in MIND’s project communities. Watch the video of the interesting contest below:

Kassim Ibrahim, one of the photographers who participated in the exhibition, in explaining one of his pictures, Woman Doing Laundry, to NAIJ.com, said the the subject of his photos had to trek for about 30 minutes to get the water she needs to do laundry.

“These pictures were taken in real time and not set up,” he said. He also pointed out that after trekking these long distances to get water they need for everyday chores, these women are often too tired to do anything else and this often affects their economic viability.

The members of the communities where MIND carries out its projects were at the exhibition to give guests a clearer picture of their situation.

Ms. Lamoen encouraged attendees, especially participants in the water challenge, to help spread word of the exhibition and the project on social media to inspire a push for change.

See more photos below:

Some members of communities where the photo project was carried out.

One of the affected women of MIND’s project communities helping a guest lift a basin of water to her head.

Veska Kostovska taking part in the water challenge to highlight the stress rural women go through to get water.

58-year-old Dr. Dayo Kusa taking up the water challenge.

A guest reacting to the photos.

A woman identifying herself in one of the photographs at the exhibition.